In case you didn't entirely catch the plot, I'll let Liana fill in the details:

My son found a toad that had a full leech under each of its armpits, and we rescued it. (Used a match to remove the leeches.) We do this sort of thing here all the time: rescue turtles from the road, save caterpillars, relocate salamanders.... We are a nature-loving family who values the idea of looking at nature up close, and that was the basic premise for my picture book FOREST GREEN.

What's that you say? A new picture book?

Isn't it a thing of beauty! Just look at that gorgeous cover by illustrator, Maggie Henry. Not that I have anything against toads with leeches under their armpits, mind you. They can be beautiful too... if you look at them the right way. But I think you'll agree that toads don't have that same lovely, new book smell.

At first glance, the Adirondack forest is lush with green leaves. But
look closer and you will see forest green in the wings of luna moths and
the songs of the katydids. What else is there to see on a walk through
the woods? Splashes of color paint the forest's canvas through the
seasons. Take a walk through the pages of this book, where the true
colors of the Adirondack woodlands show themselves in beautiful and
surprising ways.

Liana's appreciation for the beauty of the forest and all of its creatures is rivaled only by her skills as a patient observer, a poet, and an elementary teacher. Who better to take all of those observations and bundle them together in a rhyming, circular story for children.

Oh, and did I mention that Liana is patient? Well, it's worth mentioning again. Released by North Country Books this past July 30th, FOREST GREEN: A WALK THROUGH THE ADIRONDACK SEASONS was a long time coming. You can read the whole crazy story about how this book finally came to fruition (after six!! years) on Laura Sassi Tales.

One last reminder before you go hopping about today's Poetry Friday offerings: please send me your poem of address in response to Irene Latham's September DMC challenge. With just one week to go before the end-of-month wrap-up, I'd love to see (and feature) more of your wonderful poems! (I will be sharing mine this coming Tuesday.) DEAR WANDERING WILDEBEEST is a truly magical collection of children's poetry. Wouldn't it be great if you could win yourself a personalized copy? All participants will be entered into a random drawing at the end of this month.

Today's Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at The Poem Farm.

15 comments:

This looks like a wonderful celebration of the Adirondacks...and we love the Adirondacks! Many congratulations to Liana on this book - may it introduce many children to a place they already love or might have not yet seen. As for the frog, I am cracking up and thinking that this leechy guy may be stuck in my head all day long! Happy Poetry Friday to both of you - thank you!

Love the limerick - I've never seen a leech nor would I know how to get it off the poor toad. Good thing this guy met up with Liana and her family. I must find her book - looks delightful! Thanks for sharing, Michelle! (Just one week to go? Where did September go?)

I'm not sure I would know that I was supposed to help the frog, and therein lies the reason for getting this book, which looks wonderful. I am in the west, so have only seen the Adirondacks once, and am sure they are entrancing, different than our Rockies, but still lovely. Thanks for the limerick & congrats on the new book!

I'm not a huge fan of toads. I think boys would love this limerick in all its yuckiness. Thanks for letting us know about this new book. I feel hope when I read about others who struggle for publication.

About Me

I write children's poetry, picture books, and greeting card copy. My creative challenge is to bring out the natural musicality and rhythm of words and let them bounce around (and otherwise run amok) within the sphere of my imagination. Please visit my website at MichelleHBarnes.com

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